Cathay Gourmet Chinese Restaurant

Welcome to Cathay Gourmet Chinese Restaurant, a Chinese Restaurant located at 8920 Forest Hill Ave in North Chesterfield, Virginia. As a local Chinese restaurant, Cathay Gourmet aims to serve the community with a variety of Chinese culinary options. However, recent customer reviews indicate a range of experiences, with some positive aspects being overshadowed by significant concerns regarding food quality, portion sizes, and potentially the environment.

One reviewer described their experience as generally negative, noting that the dishes were "light on protein and pretty lacking in flavor." This suggests a potential issue with the substance and taste of the food being served. The only positive aspects mentioned were that the "service is friendly and prices are good," indicating that while the staff may be amiable and the cost reasonable, the core element of the dining experience – the food itself – was found wanting. This reviewer also provided specific examples of dishes that did not meet their expectations. The "Fried dumplings" were described as "deep fried as opposed to pan fried - to the point they are hard and very chewy," suggesting an undesirable texture due to the cooking method. The "Singapore Street noodles," which were identified as spicy on the menu, reportedly had "very little curry flavor at all and was definitely not spicy," indicating a misrepresentation of the dish's characteristics. This reviewer concluded by suggesting that "There is a much better option in the shopping center across Huguenot," implying a lack of satisfaction with Cathay Gourmet compared to a nearby competitor.

Another customer expressed strong dissatisfaction, beginning their review with a "BUYER BEWARE!!!!" warning. This reviewer claimed that the restaurant has different owners compared to the period between approximately 2000 and 2022, alleging that the previous owners "did right by their customers," while the current ones do not. They recounted several negative experiences under the new ownership, starting with a long 20-minute wait for their order on a quiet evening in early October 2024, for which they received an apology but were still inconvenienced after a long workday. A subsequent visit on a Sunday involved ordering a "pepper steak, dinner size," where the wait was shorter, but upon eating, the customer found "small pieces of meat" and "hardly any meat" overall – reportedly enough for only "4 or 5 mouthfuls." The dish was predominantly filled with "so much rice & onions" that the customer felt compelled to purchase additional meat from a store to supplement their meal. Upon calling the restaurant to express their dissatisfaction, the reviewer stated that the staff made excuses and did not offer any compensation or discount for a future visit. As a result, this customer vowed to not return and mentioned reading another review about "roaches," stating that if they had seen it prior, they would not have visited at all. They concluded by asserting that "The taste of the food is nothing to rave about anyway! This place sucks now!!!" This review raises serious concerns about portion sizes, wait times, customer service responsiveness to complaints, and potentially the hygiene of the establishment.

Based on these reviews, the environment of Cathay Gourmet is not explicitly detailed in terms of decor or ambiance. However, the mention of a shopping center location suggests a typical strip mall storefront. The cleanliness is called into question by the second reviewer's reference to a review about "roaches," although this is hearsay and not a direct observation in their own experience. The first reviewer noted a better option across the street, implying that the environment of Cathay Gourmet may not be particularly noteworthy or appealing compared to other local choices.

The services offered by Cathay Gourmet include takeout, as indicated by the first reviewer's order. The second reviewer also placed an order to take away. Dine-in service is implied as well, as these are typical offerings for a Chinese restaurant. Delivery services are not explicitly mentioned in the reviews, so local users interested in delivery should contact the restaurant directly to inquire about its availability.

The features of Cathay Gourmet, according to the reviews, include friendly service and good prices, as mentioned by one customer, although this positive feedback is overshadowed by concerns about the food. The menu includes standard Chinese dishes like fried dumplings and Singapore Street noodles, as well as American-Chinese fare such as pepper steak. However, the preparation and quality of these dishes have been criticized. The fried dumplings were noted for being overly deep-fried and chewy, and the Singapore Street noodles lacked the expected flavor and spice. The pepper steak was reported to have an extremely small amount of meat relative to the rice and onions. A significant negative feature implied by one review is a potential issue with pests ("roaches"). The change in ownership around 2022 is also a notable point raised by a dissatisfied long-term customer.

There is no information provided in the reviews regarding any specific promotional offers or unique features of Cathay Gourmet. Local users interested in any specials, discounts, or distinctive aspects of the restaurant should contact them directly at (804) 320-0888 or +1 804-320-0888.

For local users in North Chesterfield, VA, considering Cathay Gourmet Chinese Restaurant, it is crucial to carefully weigh the significant concerns raised in the recent customer reviews. While one reviewer noted friendly service and good prices as the only positives, the issues of under-flavored and poorly prepared food, small protein portions, long wait times, and a potential pest problem are serious considerations. The strong negative sentiment from a former long-time customer regarding the change in ownership and subsequent decline in quality and portion sizes should also not be overlooked. The recommendation to try a different restaurant across the street further suggests a lack of satisfaction with Cathay Gourmet.

Given the nature of the negative feedback, potential customers may want to exercise extreme caution before deciding to dine at or order from Cathay Gourmet. It would be prudent to seek more recent reviews from other sources to see if the issues reported have been addressed or if similar experiences are being shared by other patrons. If friendly service and low prices are the primary considerations, and one is willing to risk potential issues with food quality and portion sizes, Cathay Gourmet might be an option. However, the serious allegations regarding food and hygiene warrant careful consideration.

Local residents seeking more information about Cathay Gourmet's menu, services (including takeout and potential delivery), and any current promotions should contact the restaurant directly. However, in light of the strong negative feedback, it would be wise to temper expectations and perhaps prioritize establishments with more consistently positive recent reviews.

In conclusion, Cathay Gourmet Chinese Restaurant in North Chesterfield, VA, has received recent customer reviews that raise significant concerns about food quality, portion sizes, wait times, and potentially the cleanliness of the establishment. While friendly service and good prices were mentioned as positives by one reviewer, the overwhelming sentiment suggests a decline in quality under new ownership. Local users should carefully consider these issues before choosing to dine at or order from Cathay Gourmet.